Page 52 of The Stolen Kingdom

“He doesn’t.”

“Do not defend him!”

Melvian raised her hands in self-defense. “I am not defending him. You are nervous and—”

“Can everyone stop trying to tell me what I am feeling?” Maris rolled her tongue over her lower lip. She stopped moving altogether before resuming. “I am pissed!Pissedthat I don’t have the strength or the resources to get my people out of this damned place! I am petrified that any given day, Arwin and Eris will waltz through here again and kill you all! I am horrified that your death will fall on me!”

“They won’t. We know what we are exposing ourselves to when we decide to stay and help you. You are the rightful ruler of the Sea Kingdom, as Valda is of the Sky Kingdom. We will only accept the lawful queens. I am here to help you, and I told you before I am not leaving you, Maris. You need me as much as I need you.”

Maris turned her face away and covered her eyes with her hands. The last thing she wanted was for Melvian to see her cry. It would be yet again another sign of weakness… But she was so frustrated, and she felt like she was wasting her time hiding away in New Agenor when she should’ve been able to grab Poseidon’s trident and just pierce through anything or anyone who dared to threaten her people. She felt lost, abandoned, and alone.

“Maris.” Touching Maris’s back, Melvian released a frustrated sigh before freezing and grabbing Maris’s elbow.

Melvian’s trembling hand took Maris by surprise. She turned around and met Melvian’s wide eyes.

“What is it?”

Melvian pressed Maris’s hand to her stomach. Maris looked confused for a second until she felt the movement. Her eyes widened just like Melvian’s, and her tears were long forgotten. The child was moving… Finally!The child… Wait…

Maris’s confused frown wiped away Melvian’s smile. “Is—is something wrong?”

Maris did not answer. Instead, she moved her other hand to Melvian’s stomach. Her gaze was lost as she concentrated on the feeling. Finally, her eyes flickered to Melvian.

“Lay down on my bed.”

“You are scaring me.”

“Just lay down,” Maris commanded, opening the door to her room, to call for Isen, who was already coming up the stairs. His face was serious, contemplative. Behind him, Eyphah followed, frowning deeply.

“You are really scaring me,” Melvian said the moment she saw her mate walk through the door.

“You are petrified,” Isen murmured, and with two broad steps, he was next to Melvian, petting her dark hair and holding her trembling hand. “Be calm.”

Maris kneeled next to the bed, her hands moving to lift the Sealian tunic until Melvian’s stomach was exposed. She touched the underside of her belly, then the top right under her chest. She prodded until she felt a small roundness and then a second one. After a couple of silent seconds, Maris released her breath and turned to her friend. The smile that spread through the Sealian ruler made Melvian sob.

“Well, well, well!”

“Oh, just spit it out! You are going to kill me. Is something wrong with my baby?”

“There is nothing wrong with your babies, Melvian.” Maris’s grin grew wider.

Eyphah let out a soft gasp while Isen stared at Maris’s face. His grip on Melvian loosened as he moved his large hand over his mate’s stomach in awe.

“Babies? Plural?” Melvian asked.

Maris nodded. “You are having twins.”

Isen let out a breathy laugh before pressing his lips to Melvian’s temple. Melvian was too shocked to even notice the man’s affection. “I am having twins?” she asked, her hand absentmindedly rising to rub Isen’s bearded cheek. “Two?”

“Two babies,” Maris confirmed one last time.

Melvian turned to Isen, whose eyes sparkled with unshed tears. “Two.”

“Two.” He grinned and kissed her.

Maris stood and signaled Eyphah to leave with her. The older woman nodded and followed Maris down the stairs. She closed the door to give the couple some privacy. It wasn’t until she reached the end of the stairs that Eyphah commented on the exciting news.

“Two more Sealians to feed…” Eyphah said, while Maris frowned. As she opened her mouth to reprimand Eyphah, the woman waved her hand. “I am joking. I am more than happy for them.”

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